Cairn Buffs And Boosts Guide: All Survival Effects Explained
Buffs and boosts in Cairn directly control how long Aava can climb, how hard she can push, and how much punishment she can survive. If you ignore them or use them randomly, the mountain slowly wins. If you manage them properly, difficult routes become controlled and predictable.
This guide explains every buff and boost, what each one actually does in real play, how they interact, and when to use them so nothing is wasted.
How Buffs And Boosts Work In Cairn
Buffs come from consumables like food, drinks, and crafted items.
Using the same buff again does not stack the effect. It only refreshes the timer. Different buffs can all be active at the same time.
Some consumables cause minor damage or side effects. That tradeoff is intentional and usually worth it.
Stamina Boost Explained
Stamina boosts increase how long Aava’s limbs can stay active before tiring.
This is most noticeable during long climbs where you stay on the wall without resting. Limbs drain slower and last longer under load.
Use stamina boosts before extended vertical sections with few rest spots.
Strength Boost Explained
Strength boosts improve how much force Aava can apply while climbing.
This helps with pulling moves, hanging positions, and sections where feet are unreliable. Arms fatigue slower when supporting more weight.
Use strength boosts when routes force upper body reliance.
Focus Boost Explained
Focus boosts speed up stamina recovery.
Limbs recover faster and start recovering sooner after movement. This makes repositioning safer and reduces panic moments.
Focus works best when climbing slowly and deliberately.
Grip Boost Explained
Grip boosts increase grip stability on hands and feet.
Limbs tire slower and can hold onto weaker surfaces more reliably. This does not replace chalk, but it makes normal holds more forgiving.
Use grip boosts before technical climbs with shallow cracks or sloped surfaces.
Temperature Boost Explained
Temperature boosts increase resistance to cold.
They slow down cold related stamina penalties and help maintain performance in snowy or high altitude areas.
Use temperature boosts during storms or near the summit.
Grit Boost Explained
Grit boosts reduce environmental damage.
This includes fall damage and damage taken from sprinting. It allows faster ground movement without hurting yourself.
Use grit when moving fast between areas or attempting risky transitions.
Burst Boost Explained
Burst boosts increase movement speed.
Walking, sprinting, and climbing all become faster. This helps with escapes, jumps, and time sensitive sections.
Use burst when speed matters more than precision.
Extra Grip Boost Explained
Extra Grip further increases grip strength beyond normal grip boosts.
It allows hand placements on surfaces that would normally fail. Only hand placements consume Extra Grip charges. Feet do not.
Extra Grip works best when paired with chalk and should be saved for near impossible sections.
How Buffs Stack Together
Buffs of the same type do not stack.
Using another consumable of the same buff only refreshes the timer. Different buffs fully stack with each other.
You can have stamina, grip, burst, grit, focus, temperature, and extra grip active at the same time.
When To Use Buffs Properly
Buffs should solve specific problems.
Using them on easy climbs wastes resources and creates false confidence. The game expects you to read the route first, then buff.
If a section looks calm, save the item.
Final Blurb
Buffs and boosts in Cairn are not bonuses, they are tools. Use the right one for the right situation and the mountain becomes manageable instead of punishing. Waste them and you will feel strong right up until you fall.
Love the game? Read about Cairn Achievements here.
FAQ
Do buffs stack in Cairn
Different buffs stack, the same buff only refreshes its timer.
Do boosts have downsides
Some consumables cause minor damage or side effects.
Does Extra Grip replace chalk
No, Extra Grip works alongside chalk and consumes charges on hand placement.
Which buff is the most important
There is no single best buff, each one solves a different problem.
Can all buffs be active at once
Yes, as long as they are different types.
